Hemiepiphytic Ficus spp. (Moraceae) in Weh Island, Sabang City, Aceh Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Peniwidiyanti & Ashari R. 2018. Hemiepiphytic Ficus spp. (Moraceae) in Weh Island, Sabang City, Aceh Province,
Indonesia. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 4: 215-219. Weh Island, Sabang City, is a small island that is vulnerable to threats of
extinction of plants and animals. Therefore, conservation of species to maintain the stability of communities and ecosystems on Weh
Island is needed. One of the most common types of "key resources" in the tropics is the fig relatives (Ficus spp.) that have a variety of
habits including trees and hemiepiphyte which has ecological benefits. The purpose of this study was to collect information on the
number of species of Ficus spp. and classifies the Ficus spp. hemiepiphyte habit on Weh Island. The method used was exploration in
several ecosystem types and perform a series of species identification to analyze the transitional habits of hemiepiphyte Ficus spp. A
total of 14 species of Ficus can be found in Weh Island, where 8 species in the hemiepiphyte habit. The most abundant hemiepiphyte
were Ficus virens with 37% of presence rate, Ficus benjamina with 34% of presence rate, and Ficus tinctoria and Ficus cuspidata with
9% of presence rate. Ficus benjamina was common in phase E (free-standing strangler). Ficus virens and Ficus tinctoria were
commonly found in phase B (aerial root reaching the ground) and phase C (strangler with a root network surrounding the trunk of the
host). Hemiepiphyte of both species were many found attached to the Trembesi (Samanea saman) located along the main road of
Sabang City. Meanwhile, Ficus cuspidata was common in Phase A (epiphytes) and attached to host trees from Myrtaceae family. The
existence of Ficus spp. has an impact on the availability of habitat and animal feed throughout the year. In addition, high adaptability to
hemiepiphyte habit can reduce the impact of wind coming from the Indian Ocean and the threat of erosion and abrasion in Weh Island.
Thus, ecological role of Ficus spp. becomes one of the important aspects of conservation effort of small islands.